Harman Kardon AVR 254 Receiver
Manufacturer's Description
The Harman Kardon(R) AVR 254 is the most affordable Harman Kardon receiver to feature both Dolby(R) TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio(TM) decoding on the audio side, and Faroudja DCDi Cinema(R) video processing to 1080p on the video side. But there's plenty more to recommend the AVR 254, including three HDMI(TM) inputs, connections for external amplifiers, EzSet/EQ(TM) technology to fine-tune your system to the acoustics of your room, and an RS-232 port for future firmware upgrades. Perhaps the highest recommendation of all? As do all Harman Kardon A/V receivers, the AVR 254 features a high-current, ultrawide-bandwidth design for maximum fidelity.
Power
50W x 7 into 8 ohms, 20Hz – 20kHz, at <0.07% THD, with all channels driven simultaneously
High-current (±35 amps), ultrawide-bandwidth (10Hz – 100kHz) amplifier design
Surround Processing
Advanced dual-core Cirrus Logic® CS 49700 32-bit DSP processor
Full suite of Dolby surround decoding, including Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Digital Plus
Full suite of DTS® modes, including DTS-HD, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS-ES® 6.1 Discrete & Matrix, DTS Neo:6® and DTS 96/24™
Dolby Pro Logic® IIx (Movie, Music and Game modes) surround sound
Harman-exclusive Logic 7 Movie, Music and Game surround sound processing in 5.1 and 7.1 channels
Dolby Headphone and Dolby Virtual Speaker surround modes
Five- and seven-channel Stereo surround modes
192kHz/24-Bit DACs
Connectivity
Three HDMI 1.3a with Deep Color inputs and one HDMI output
Two assignable, wide-bandwidth (100MHz), HDTV-ready component video inputs and one output
Subwoofer output for direct connection to a powered subwoofer
Four A/V inputs with S-video, plus two audio-only inputs
Eight-channel-direct inputs for use with external surround decoders
7.1 Preamp outputs allow the use of external amplifiers
XM Ready tuner
Convenient front-panel audio/video input with S-video for use with video games or portable players
Six digital inputs (two optical and two coaxial on rear panel, and one optical and one coaxial on front panel)
One coaxial digital output on rear panel
RS-232 port for fi rmware upgrades
IR remote extension jacks for system control
Auxiliary input for connecting iPod and other portable media players
Ease of Use
HDMI 1.3a with Deep Color and Faroudja DCDi Cinema video processing with upscaling to 1080p
Lip Sync Delay adjustable for each input
EzSet/EQ equalization for quick and accurate system setup
FM stereo/AM tuner with 30 presets and direct-access tuning
Quadruple-crossover bass manager
Wide range of low-frequency crossover points (40Hz, 60Hz, 80Hz, 100Hz, 120Hz and 200Hz) available
Full-color, high-defi nition, graphical on-screen interface, including HDMI and component video
Programmable power-up volume
Multiroom audio
Surround back amplifi er channels confi gurable for use as second-zone amplification
Seven-device, programmable system remote control
By Dummy 
from Pittsburgh, PA on 6/1/2009
Pros:
Accurate Controls, Clean Sound, Easy To Set Up
Describe Yourself:
Tech Savvy
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
By CT from Los Angeles, CA on 5/16/2009
Pros:
Clean Sound, Durable, Good Power, Easy To Set Up
Best Uses:
Home Theater, Basic Systems
Describe Yourself:
Musically Inclined
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
By Todd from Ft Worth, TX on 4/13/2009
Describe Yourself:
Professional
Bottom Line:
No, I would not recommend this to a friend
By Laz 
from East Coast on 2/11/2009
Pros:
Intuitive Controls, Interfaces Well With TV, Easy To Setup
Best Uses:
Television Shows, Movies, Smaller Rooms
Describe Yourself:
Tech Savvy
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
I Love it! you beautiful beast!
By Razorbackthunder from Fort Worth,Tx. on 2/11/2009
Pros:
Clear Sound, Thundering Bass, Intuitive Controls, Interfaces Well With TV
Describe Yourself:
Audiophile
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
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Main Features
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HDMI Version
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1.3
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General Features
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Surround Modes
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Dolby Pro Logic II, Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby Digital, DTS
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Frequency Response
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10Hz-130kHz
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Remote Control
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Included
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Stereo Power Rating (watts)
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65
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Tuner
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FM, AM
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Inputs / Outputs
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Composite Video
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(1) Rear Output, (3) Rear Input
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HDMI
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(1) Rear Output, (3) Rear Input
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Optical
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(2) Rear Input
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Satellite Radio
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XM Radio Ready
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AC Outlets
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Switched
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Analog Audio
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(2) Rear Output, (4) Rear Input
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Component Video
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(1) Rear Output, (2) Rear Input
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Preamplifier Outputs
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Rear Output
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RS-232C
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Rear Input
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S-Video
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(2) Rear Output, (3) Rear Input
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Dimensions
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Weight (Pounds)
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27.1
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Depth (Inches)
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15
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Height (Inches)
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6.5
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Width (Inches)
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17.3
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Detailed Specifications:
Audio
Stereo Mode Continuous Average Power (FTC) per Channel: 65 Watts per channel, 20Hz – 20kHz, @ <0.07% THD, both channels driven into 8 ohms
Seven-Channel Surround Modes, Power per Individual Channel, All Channels Operating at Full Power
Front L & R Channels : 50 Watts per channel @ <0.07% THD, 20Hz – 20kHz into 8 ohms
Center Channel: 50 Watts @ <0.07% THD, 20Hz – 20kHz into 8 ohms
Surround Channels (L & R Side, L & R Back) : 50 Watts per channel @ <0.07% THD, 20Hz – 20kHz into 8 ohms
Input Sensitivity/Impedance, Linear (High-Level) : 200mV/47k ohms
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (IHF-A) : 100dB
Surround System Adjacent Channel Separation
Dolby® Pro Logic® I and II : 40dB
Dolby® Digital : 55dB
DTS® : 55dB
Frequency Response at 1W (+0dB, –3dB) : 10Hz – 130kHz
High Instantaneous Current Capability (HCC) : ±35 Amps
Transient Intermodulation Distortion (TIM) : Unmeasurable
Slew Rate : 40V/µsec
FM Tuner
Frequency Range : 87.5MHz – 108.0MHz
Usable Sensitivity : IHF 1.3µV/13.2dBf
Signal-to-Noise Ratio : Mono/Stereo 70/68dB
Distortion : Mono/Stereo 0.2/0.3%
Stereo Separation : 40dB @ 1kHz
Selectivity : ±400kHz, 70dB
Image Rejection : 80dB
IF Rejection : 90dB
AM Tuner
Frequency Range : 520kHz – 1720kHz
Signal-to-Noise Ratio : 45dB
Usable Sensitivity : Loop 500µV
Distortion : 1kHz, 50% Mod 0.8%
Selectivity : ±10kHz, 30dB
Video
Television Format : NTSC
Input Level/Impedance : 1Vp-p/75 ohms
Output Level/Impedance : 1Vp-p/75 ohms
Video Frequency Response
Composite and S-Video : 10Hz – 8MHz (–3dB)
Component Video : 10Hz – 100MHz (–3dB)
HDMI™ : Version 1.3a with 10-bit Deep Color
General
Power Requirement : AC 120V/60Hz
Power Consumption : 65W idle, 540W maximum (7 channels driven)
Unit Dimensions
Width : 17-5/16 (440mm)
Height : 6-1/2 (165mm)
Depth : 15 (382mm)
Carton Dimensions (W x H x D) : 21-7/8 x 10-1/2 x 18-5/16, (555mm x 266mm x 465mm)
Unit Weight : 27.1 lb (12.3kg)
Shipping Weight (System, Accessories, Packing) : 32.8 lb (14.9kg)